One of the key speakers at the inaugural Liberty Vuka Knowledge Summit, taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on November 1 & 2, is Brand Pretorius whose name has become synonymous with effective leadership.
 
Pretorius is regarded one of the best known and best informed people in the South African motor industry. Under his leadership Toyota became the leader in both market share and customer satisfaction, while it is widely acknowledged that Pretorius played a pivotal role in turning McCarthy around after it was declared technically insolvent in 2001.
 
Pretorius has received numerous national marketing, motor industry and leadership awards including Marketing Person of the Year, Automobile Man of the Year and Boss of the Year.
 
The Summit, with the theme Awaken Your Curiosity, features an impressive array of speakers including US mogul and entrepreneur Russell Simmons; Nobel Prize-winner Wole Soyinka; founder of Black Girls Code Kimberly Bryant, who has been listed as one of the "25 Most Influential African-Americans In Technology"; CEO of Moving Brands Inc. Mat Heinl and What’s Your Moonshot?  trend and innovation strategist, John Sanei.
 
We caught up with Pretorius to ask her about him about his presentation at the Summit:
 
Your address at the VUKA Knowledge summit is “Key leadership lessons I learnt during my career in business” Can you share some of these with us?
I learnt a few lessons from success and many from failure. The first lesson I learnt is that leadership is a responsibility, and not a right. Also, that it has nothing to do with position, power and authority - it is all about influence which needs to be earned. In my view one can only earn influence by setting the right example and by delivering results.
 
What do you hope your audience will take away from it?
Practical advice about the art and science of effective leadership.
 
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business?
That the quality of leadership represents the most potent competitive advantage.
 
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?
Make sure that your value proposition is relevant, different, compelling and sustainable, through the eyes of your customers.
 
What makes for a good boss/manager?
Character, competence and a willingness to serve.
 
How do you improve the quality of leadership in South Africa?
By exposing the tyranny of the “Boss” as the lowest level of leadership, and by encouraging leaders to rather embrace the servant leadership philosophy.
 
What advice do you have for this year’s graduates?
Always do the right things in terms of principles and values, and then do the right things right when it comes to execution.
 
Regarding the Millennial Generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?
They are bold, curious, embrace technology and use initiative.
 
And wrong?
Sometimes there is a culture of entitlement, they demand instant gratification and they are not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices in terms of effort, hard work and perseverance.
 
Tickets for the Liberty VUKA Knowledge summit are available from www.ticketpro.co.za. General tickets cost R3 950, with the price for VIP entrance tickets at R6 800. More information from www.vukasummit.co.za.